3. Well, could you elaborate? I’d really appreciate some honesty, here, for once.

4. You don’t like that question much, huh? Okay, how about this one: what was the most satisfying aspect of this relationship? I know the answer will somehow involve my breasts, I just want to make you say it one last time.

5. Does it ever scare you, how predictable you are?

6. What would you change about me? Actually, let’s skip that one.

7. Based on your experience, what do you think it takes to succeed as my boyfriend? Why were you, specifically, not up for the task? Just wondering. Because you seemed to really, really want this position and now you’re abandoning it without explanation. Was it not challenging enough? Too challenging? Elaborate.

8. Does your mother actually hate me, or is that just a thing you say when we’re arguing because you know it’ll make me upset?

9. Do you plan on sleeping with my competitors?

10. Could you cancel those plans, please?

11. Could you at least honor the six-month grace period I suggested when we began dating? I hate to remind you of the verbal contractual agreements we made, but you did repeatedly tell me that you had no interest in sleeping with Rebecca, who, interestingly enough, you’ve been texting throughout the duration of this exit interview… you think I can’t see you? You think I’m blind, now?

12. Do you think you could wait like, ten minutes before continuing to pursue your tasteless and predictable rebounds?

13. Did this relationship help you reach any personal goals?

14. So I guess you’re not going to admit you would still be living at home with your mother had you not entered into this relationship?

15. All jokes aside, does your mother hate me? I can’t tell if you’re joking. If she hates me, would you please elaborate? I’m asking nicely.

16. Should I quit while I’m ahead by retracting that question and changing the subject?

17. Do you have any tips that might help me find your replacement?

18. Do you have any tips other than “more blow jobs” that might help me find your replacement?

21. Would you recommend being in a relationship with me to your friends?

22. Of course I wouldn’t date one of your friends, why, did one of them mention they were interested?

23. Would you consider re-entering the relationship in the future?

24. Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay with the relationship? I’m pretty much contractually bound to ask you that, by the way. Unless the answer is ‘yes,’ in which case I’m on board personally, as well.

25. Thanks for your valuable time and feedback. I wish you the best of luck in your future pursuits, unless they involve Rebecca.

I realize this is partly comedy. Whenever I hear passive aggressive abusive type things like #5, “Does it ever scare you, how predictable you are?” then one of these is usually true:

A) You are with someone you don’t respect. In that case, be relieved not sad. The other person felt this resentment in their gut (and, if they ended it, had the guts you may not have had). Learn from it and improve your filters & selection process/criteria.

Or…

B) You are treating terribly someone you do respect. In that case, figure out why you’re sabotaging it and improve your assertiveness & conflict resolution skills.

audreyfaye

Hmm, that question seems to be the opposite of passive aggressive. It’s actually incredibly direct. But I agree that either A or B is likely true if someone feels compelled to ask that question.

Nick

Asking “why are you so ______?” is classic PA. Anything that is “you are/think/feel ____” is PA. Invalidation might be more accurate. It’s telling someone what they think or feel or who they are. It tends to be a dead end discussion.